Queen Elizabeth honors Adele

LONDON -- Adele is getting a new medal to go alongside her Grammys and Academy Award -- an honor from Queen Elizabeth II.The "Rumor Has It" and "Skyfall" singer was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE, on Friday in the queen's annual Birthday Honors list.Her award, for services to music, caps 12 months in which the 25-year-old singer won an Oscar for her James Bond theme song and gave birth to her first child.The twice-yearly royal honors lists reward hundreds of people for services to their community or national life. Most go to people who are not in the limelight, but there is also a sprinkling of famous faces.Adele wasn't the only honoree connected to "Skyfall," the 23rd James Bond thriller and the most lucrative film in the series' 50-year history. Cinematographer Roger Deakins was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, in recognition of a career that has gained him 10 Oscar nominations for films including "No Country for Old Men," "Revolutionary Road" and "The Shawshank Redemption."The list includes a knighthood for Tony Robinson, an actor and political activist best known as dim sidekick Baldrick from the comic TV series "Blackadder." He was honored for his political work and public service. His "Blackadder" co-star Rowan Atkinson -- best known around the world as bumbling Mr. Bean -- received a CBE. The same honor went to actress Claire Bloom, whose career stretches from a film appearance opposite Charlie Chaplin to a role in "The King's Speech."Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, who creates elaborately decorated and sometimes explicit ceramics, also was named a CBE. Jackie Collins, author of racy page-turners, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE, for services to fiction and to charity. There were also OBEs for Dylan Jones, editor of British GQ; fashion editor Hilary Alexander; and novelist Kate Mosse, author of the best-selling "Labyrinth."Genre-crossing British musician P.J. Harvey received an MBE, as did Welsh comedian Rob Brydon and novelist Joanne Harris, author of "Chocolat."

Share your comments: Log in using your HeraldNet account or your Facebook, Twitter or Disqus profile. Comments that violate the rules are subject to removal. Please see our terms of use. Please note that you must verify your email address for your comments to appear.